Yesterday marked the 100th day of a special 100-day prayer-fast, in preparation for our two-year "homestretch." It was one of the most arduous-yet-glorious seasons of waiting on the Lord I've ever known.

(Note: I usually wouldn't share a personal "in secret" discipline, but I felt I should, in order to encourage you at the end of this message.)

JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, God gave me a "suddenly," to kick-off our "homestretch" with a prayerwalk through the spiritual roots of our nation, from Boston to New York.

Kevin Roberts, my right-hand-reverend from years back, is joining me, along with a handful of other pastor friends. We'll be joined by more pastors and prayer-warriors along the way. Already, God is going before us with great favor.

WHY?

Our nation is in absolute turmoil and the truth is: It's not the Democrats' fault; It's not President Obama's fault. Neither Harry Reid, nor Nancy Pelosi, nor George W. Bush, nor Ted Cruz, nor the Tea Party is to blame. AS THE CHURCH GOES, SO GOES THE NATION.

I believe this 300-mile kick-off is a faith-in-action illustrated sermon our desperate need to rise up and re-claim this powerful truth...not out of arrogance, but out of spiritual responsibility. God's promised response to a genuinely repentant people is our only hope!

HOW?

From the counsel of faithful friends, I've committed to stop apologizing for our need of funds. It's time we raised support on purpose, and that time is now. I will be saying more about this in the days ahead, but please don't wait for my written invitation. Click here to give today.

Now a word the Lord spoke to me during my fast:

Two weeks before the "download" for this kick-off...I'd been out prayerwalking all afternoon when evening came. I'd prayed a lot of miles that day and it had been hotter than snot for most of them, but just as the sun was setting, with only a couple miles to go, a surprisingly cool breeze suddenly swept over me. That's when the Lord spoke...

"Just as this cool autumn breeze blows over you and brings refreshing, so I will bring refreshing to you in this autumn season of prayer. Behold, in these days, I am calling my Church in America to pray like never before. Though the fires of tribulation rage all around them, those who dwell in the sanctuary of My presence will abide in the shadow of My peace. I am willing; I am wooing my people into an intimate place of communion with Me like never before."

BTW, this word didn't come until the 74th day of my fast; the download for the kick-off waited until Day 87. Good things happen when we wait on the Lord...

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most HighShall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;My God, in Him I will trust."(Psalm 91:1-2)

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;They shall mount up with wings like eagles,They shall run and not be weary,They shall walk and not faint.(Isaiah 40:31)